Boat-sail



W. C. WARD.

BOAT SAIL. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1919.

1, 848, 9 1 2, Patented Aug. 10, 1920.

annex 1430*:

7721155 C. Wkraf UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

WILLIS C. WARD, OF ORCHARD LAKE, MICHIGAN.

BOAT-SAIL.

Application filed December 5, 1919. Serial No. 342,576.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIS C. WVARD, a citizen of the United States of America, residv ing at Orchard Lake, in the county of Oak land and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boat-Sails, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to sails designed for use 011 boats and it is the object of the invention to obtain a stronger, more durable and more easily manipulated construction than the ordinary canvas sail. To thisend the invention consists; first, in a sail formed of rigid material; second, in a construction having a peripheral rigid frame with a metal sheet extending thereacross; third, in

a construction which will automatically unload or spill the wind when subjected to an over-pressure; fourth, the various specific features of construction as hereinafter set forth. 7

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the sail as applied to a boat;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the sail and its supporting frame;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section.

My improved sail is preferably of an elliptical or oval form and is provided with a peripheral ri id frame A, across which is extended preferably a sheet metal member B. The frame A is provided at its opposite ends with trunnions C which are journaled in a bifurcated supporting frame D of a form to provide clearance for the swinging of the frame A. The frame D is mounted upon a vertical pivot pin E, which is journaled in a bearing F in a mast G.

The pivot pin E is preferably hollow to permit of the passage of a rope, or other flexible connection, H which is attached at one end to the frame A and at its opposite end is yieldably anchored as by the spring I. Suitable sheaves J are arranged for the rope or flexible connection to travel over.

The trunnions Con the frame A are at one side of the central longitudinal axis of said frame, so that unequal areas are exposed on opposite sides ofthe axis of said trunnions and thus when exposed to wind pressure, the pressure on the larger area will over-balance that on the smaller area and will move the sail into'an inclined position, its angle depending upon the total wind pressure and the resistance of the spring I. r The spring I is setat such a tension as to normally hold the'sail in a position favorable for receiving wind pressure, but upon an abnormal pressure the frame A will turn to an angle where the wind will be spilled.

The pivot-bearing E is also preferably arranged at one side of the vertical central axis of the frame A so as to expose unequal areas to to the wind pressure, the smaller area being forward and the larger area in rear of the mast. The rear end of the frame D is attached to a rope, or other flexible securing means, K which is controlled in the same manner as the usual boat sail.

In use, the sail, when exposed to limited wind pressure, will assume a position in the plane of the frame D where it will present its entire area to the action of the wind. As soon, however, as the pressure increases beyond a predetermined limit, the sail will automatically turn to an angle to prevent further increase in pressure. This action is entirely independent of the adjustment of the sail about the vertical axis of the mast and the operator can control the position by the rope K in the usual manner.

lVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. A boat sail comprising a sheet of rigid material, and an adjustable frame in which said sheet is mounted.

2. A boat sail comprising a rigid peripheral frame, a sheet extending across and seand secured thereto, a bifurcated frame extending longitudinally of said first-mentioned frame and embracing the same, a pivotal connection between said frames permitting the adjustment of the first-mentioned frame about a longitudinal axis having unbalanced areas on opposite sides thereof, and means for yieldably holding the adjustable frame against unbalanced wind pressure.

0. A boat sail comprising a frame and a sheet extending thereacross, a pivotal mounting for said frame located to expose unbalanced areas on opposite sides of the axis thereof, and means for resisting rotation of said frame. under unbalanced Wind pressure'adapte'd to yield at a predetermined limit of pressure 1 .7 V v In a boat, the combination With amast, of: a bifurcated-"frame pivotally mounted on said mast, an'annular-frame pivotally se-' i cured in-"said' bifurcatedfra-me to be rotatable about a longitudinal-axis, said axis being at one side of'the center of'the frame, a sheet extending across said annular'frame' 1 and exposed to wind pressure, and means for holding-said annular frame in the plane of w said. bifurcated frame yieldable when said sheet is V exposed to a. predetermined pressure.

7; A boat sail comprising an oval peripheral frame, a sheet extending thereacross and secured thereto, a bifurcated frame extendinglongitudinally of said oval frame and embracing theizsame, a pivotal connection between said bifurcated frame and oval I vframe arranged at one side of the central longitudinal axisof said oval frame, a mast,

and pivotal connection between saidbifur- 

